Crime News in Brief: Monday, May 19

Crime news in Sunderland, Washington and Newcastle

Police hunt knifeman after flare gun set off in Sunderland

A knifeman who fired a flared gun in the street before driving off is being hunted by police.

The fugitive was tackled by members of the public following the incident on Fordfield Road in Sunderland, which happened at around 1.35am yesterday.

He then made off in a silver car, damaging other vehicles as he left.

Police believe the man had been involved in an altercation at a home in the street before the disturbance.

The man is described as white, tall, in his late 20s and wearing a white t-shirt and jeans. He drove off in the direction of Pennywell.

Chief Inspector Dave Willett, from Northumbria Police’s Sunderland Area Command, said: “Luckily no-one has been harmed as a result of this disturbance and only damage was caused.

“Those involved in this disturbance were known to each other and we don’t believe a threat is posed to the wider public by this person.

“Detectives are carrying out further inquiries today to find the man responsible.

“Anyone who witnessed the disturbance or believes they may have seen the man following it is asked to come forward.

“Officers will be patrolling the area and anyone with concerns should speak to them.”

Witnesses or anyone with any information should call Northumbria Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Washington mugging victim hit with rock

Muggers struck their victim across the head with a rock before stealing his cash.

The 26-year-old was attacked at the back of Biddick Primary School in Washington at around 2am on Friday.

He suffered a cut to his head and a fractured finger during the attack and was treated at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead before being discharged.

Police have arrested a 20-year-old man and 16-year-old boy on suspicion of robbery. Both have been released on bail.

Officers are now appealing for witnesses.

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: “Inquiries into the incident are ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.”

Call Northumbria Police on 101 quoting log number 120 16/05/14

Arson attack on Walbottle home

Arsonists who targeted a home are today being hunted by police.

A flaming missile was thrown at the town house, on Appletree Court in Walbottle, Newcastle, on Friday night.

It caused the downstairs window to break and set a ledge alight.

Fire crews extinguished by the fire, which happened at around, 11.50pm.

Residents were in the house at the time, but they were not injured.

Detectives are investigating the arson attack want to speak to any witnesses.

They are also trying to trace a man seen walking away from the house following the incident.

He was wearing a dark hoody and made off on foot along Braeburn Court to a small red vehicle waiting on Hawthorn Terrace.

Det Sgt Tony Gallagher, from Northumbria Police’s Major Crime Team, said: “Detectives are carrying out further inquiries into this arson today. I’d urge anyone who saw the man described, the vehicle he got into or any suspicious activity around the time of the incident to come forward.” Witnesses should call Northumbria Police on 101.

Send a story

Advertising Department

Print

The Chronicle is read by more adults than any other regional newspaper on sale in the area. With 170,115 average issue readers, this reach extends to 366,753 weekly readers – that’s over 1/4 of adults in the area!

The average time spent reading the Chronicle is 31 minutes; which shows the length of time that readers are engaging with the editorial and advertising content.

49,199* copies of the Chronicle are sold on average each day as it continues to be an integral part of the region.

*ABC Newcastle Chronicle 100% paid, Mon - Sat, JICREG, 1/10/2012

Online

Unique Users: 1.6m

Page Views: 10m

Audience figures from Omniture, monthly average (Jan - Jun 2014).

More than 1 in 3 ChronicleLive users have clicked through to an online advertisement, demonstrating that our users are responsive and receptive to Internet advertising messages.

ChronicleLive reaches an internet-savvy audience, with 84% of users having purchased products or services online in the past 12 months.

Download our rate cards for all the prices of our print and digital products.